An Investigation into the influences of parental alcohol problems on Irish adults consumption and motivation to drink
Authors
Mullins, Niamh
Issue Date
2007
Degree
MA in Addiction Studies
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The present study reports an investigation which is designed to gain a better understanding of the influences of parental alcohol problems on adults alcohol consumption and their motivations to drink alcohol. A sample of adult Irish individuals (N=75) completed the 6-item Adult Children of Alcoholics Screening test, Drinking Motivations Questionnaire, Audit Questionnaire and survey measures of roles developed in an alcoholic family. Adult children of parents with an alcohol problems (N=21) were found to consume more alcohol Adult children of parents that have a drink problem were also found to have a higher score on internal motivations which were coping and enhancement motivations. There was found to be a relationship between the birth order of adult children of parents with a drink problem and various roles developed in a dysfunctional family. The main findings of the present study suggests that the amount of alcohol adults consume and their motives for drinking are very much influenced by their parents drinking behaviour.